Ann Curry rescued by Boy Scouts

Compiled by Tony Hicks

Contra Costa Times

Posted:
05/12/2014 12:32:10 PM MDT

Ann Curry broke her leg hiking, and Boy Scouts came to her rescue.

Members of the Boy Scouts Troop 368 were hiking last month on New York's Bear Mountain, in Harriman State Park, about 40 miles north of New York City, when they encountered Curry. The NBC News correspondent was sitting on the trail with a broken ankle and was in pain.

It's a good thing Matt Lauer wasn't the troop leader, or Curry might still be up there.

The troop fitted her leg with a splint, then improvised a stretcher using sticks and a tarp.

The boys didn't know who Curry was.

This April 23, 2012 file photo shows Ann Curry at the Matrix Awards in New York. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)

"We were hiking along, and we came to a trail intersection," Jurgens said, "and a lady was sitting on the ground with her one leg out. We didn't think anything of it, but one of the guys asked if everything is OK. She said, 'No, not really. I think I broke my ankle.' She told us to keep going, but the guys refused."

"She was in a good mood, asking us about our Philmont trip," Jurgens said. "She wanted to hear what brought us to Harriman State Park."

According to Scouting Magazine, Curry's husband and son went ahead to get their SUV and drive it to the trailhead. The Scouts helped Curry into the front seat of the car, and before they left, Curry's husband thanked the Scouts.

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"He told us, 'You guys are the best,'" Jurgens said. "'I don't know what I would do without you guys.'"

Miss lunch?

Curry's husband wrote down Jurgens' contact info and left for the hospital.

Forest rangers arrived after Curry was gone..

"They asked, 'Is there somebody up there who needs rescuing?' And we said, 'It's taken care of,'" Jurgens said. Then he broke the big news to his troop.

"I said, 'Do you know who that woman was? That was Ann Curry.'"

Jurgens had recognized Curry, and her iconic voice, right away. But not all the Scouts in his troop and crew are avid news-watchers. So Chris Tribuna, acting crew leader, took out his phone and showed them Curry is a national news anchor.

Last week, Jurgens got a phone call from a number he didn't recognize.

"She said, 'Hi, is this Rick? This is Ann Curry, the lady you rescued on Bear Mountain.' She was really great and really appreciative. She said she underestimated the Boy Scouts of America. She was just mesmerized that a bunch of 14, 15, and 16-year-olds came together and got her down the mountain," Jurgens said.

Curry got the addresses of everyone who was there that day and sent each a hand-signed letter thanking them for their "skill and professionalism."

"I feel enormously lucky you came along at just the right moment, and were so willing to help a stranger in need," she wrote. "You are a credit to the Boy Scouts and to your families, and I want you to know I am deeply grateful for your kindness and skill."

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